Apparatus for overall sole and heel unit cementing

ABSTRACT

This invention relates to apparatus for over-all cementing of a shoe sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for bonding to the bottom of a lasted shoe. The unit is supported in the machine with the top surface to which adhesive is to be applied substantially planar. A heating element is then passed over the unit to prepare the unit for receiving the adhesive. An adhesive applicator then passes over the unit to apply adhesive to the entire top surface of the unit. The adhesive is then again heated by again passing the heating element over the unit. Automatic means are provided to control the operation of the apparatus.

United States Patent Barker et a1.

[ 1 Aug. 1,1972

[54] APPARATUS FOR OVERALL SOLE AND HEEL UNIT CEMENTING [72] Inventors: Joseph Barker, Birstall; Raymond Hanson, Rearsby, both of England [73] Assignee: USM Corporation, Flemington, NJ

[22] Filed: July 1, 1970 [21] Appl. No. 51,608

[30] Foreign Application Priority Data [58] Field ofSearch ..118/7,4l0,4ll,641,642, 118/643, 59, 620; 117/93; 219/215 2,841,111 7/1958 Walker ..118/7 3,292,191 12/1966 KQIHbOI'lflIL. ..118/410 3,074,808 1 1963 Harrison ..1 18/620 2,694,131 11/1954 Carson ..219/215 Primary Examiner-Morris Kaplan Assistant Examiner-Leo 'Millstein Att0rneyRichard A. Wise and Richard B. Megley 5 7] ABSTRACT This invention relates to apparatus for over-all cementing of a shoe sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for bonding to the bottom of a lasted shoe. The unit is supported in the machine with the top surface to which adhesive is to be applied substantially planar. A heating element is then passed over the unit to prepare the unit for receiving the adhesive. An adhesive applicator then passes over the unit to apply adhesive to the entire top surface of the unit. The adhe- [56] References Cned sive is then again heated by again passing the heating UNITED STATES PATENTS element over the unit. Automatic means are provided to control the operation of the apparatus. 3,277,867 10/1966 Kilham et a1 ..118/204 2,221,880 11/1940 Pratt et a1. ..118/641 4 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures IPATENTEDMIB nan SHEEI 1 [IF 5 Inventors v Joseph Bar/(er Faymono. Hanson By zhezr Attorney PATENTEDAm; 1 I972 SHEU 2 BF 5 PATENTEDnus 1 m2 SHEEI 8 OF 5 APPARATUS FOR OVERALL SOLE AND HEEL UNIT CEMENTING BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION This invention relates to an apparatus for applying adhesive to the entire top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive securing to a lasted shoe bottom. The sole and heel unit is transferred immediately following its preparation to a sole attaching press where the prepared sole and heel unit is attached to the shoe by pressing the unit against the shoe bottom.

In the past, machines for the cement construction of shoes have applied the cement to the under surface of the work as the work was progressed through the machine by a driven presser roll bearing against the opposite side of the work. Provision had to be made for adjusting the pressure applied to the work by the presser roll so as to properly move the work through the machine. Slight variations in the thickness of the work made necessary adjustment of the presser roll in order to maintain the desired motivating pressure on the work. The machines were incapable of accommodating abrupt changes in the thickness of the work such as are encountered at the transition from the forepart to the heel portion of a sole and heel unit. In addition, these machines required apparatus to accurately position the work as it traversed the machine. The machine also required a work stripper to separate the work from contact with the presser roll to prevent the work from riding on the pressure roll after passing through the machine and thus to properly discharge the cemented sole from the machine.

More recently machines applying cement to the periphery of shoe soles have come into use. In these machines an edge portion of a shoe sole is inserted into a feeding mechanism adjacentan adhesive dispenser. The feeding mechanism moves the sole so that the dispenser applies adhesive to the only peripheral portion of the sole. When the periphery has been coated with adhesive the sole is removed from the machine. Presently available machines will not accommodate the abrupt transition in thickness between a forepart and a heel portion of a sole and heel unit. Additionally, some constructions of particularly sturdy shoes require additional adhesive over the entire sole portion of the shoe to better hold the sole to the shoe.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION Accordingly it is an object of the invention to provide a machine to apply adhesive to the entire top surface of a sole and heel unit having an abrupt change in thickness at the transition from the forepart to the heel portion of the unit.

Still a further object of the invention is to provide a machine for cementing the entire top surface of a sole and heel unit which automatically applies the adhesive in the shortest possible time.

A machine for applying adhesive to a sole and heel unit comprises a stationary work support having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar configuration. A carrier supporting heating means and a bracket supporting adhesive applying means are movably mounted adjacent the work support. A unit is placed on the work support with its top surface exposed for receiving adhesive. The heating means are first moved across the unit to prepare the unit for the adhesive. The adhesive applying means follow the heating means across the unit to apply adhesive. The adhesive applying means are then returned to their initial positions without again contacting the unit. The heating means are then moved across the unit to heat the adhesive on the unit. Both the heating means and the adhesive applying means move transversely to the longitudinal axis of the unit so as to transverse the unit in the shortest possible time. Automatic means for controlling the machine are provided. After the heating means heats the adhesive on the unit, the unit may be removed from the machine and adhesively secured to a shoe by pressing the unit against the bottom of a shoe.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS In the drawings:

FIG. 1 is a side view of the apparatus partly in section and with certain parts removed for clarity;

- FIG. 2 is a plan view of the apparatus with parts broken away or removed for clarity;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged elevation, partly in section, showing the mounting of the heating means shown in FIGS. 1 and 2;

FIG. 4 is a view, partly in section, of the under side of the heating means shown in FIG. 3;

FIG. 5 is a sectioned side view of the heating means shown in FIG. 3; and

FIG. 6 is a pneumatic circuit diagram of the machine controls.

DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS A machine for applying adhesive has a work support indicated generally at 2 having an adjustable heel support plate 6 for maintaining the top surface of a sole and heel unit placed on the support in a planar position. A carrier indicated generally at 18 is movably mounted adjacent and above the work support and carries heating means. A bracket 38 is movably mounted adjacent the carrier and supports adhesive applying means. When a sole and heel unit is placed on the support a starter button (not shown) is activated by the machine operator to initiate operation of the machine. The bracket first pushes the heating means across the work support to heat the unit. The adhesive applying means of the bracket follow the heating means across the unit. The adhesive applying means apply a coat of liquid adhesive composition to the surface of the heated unit. A dwell period during which the applied adhesive composition is subjected to ambient conditions for adhesively combining with the unit is then provided. During the dwell period the bracket and the adhesive applying means return to their initial position. At the end of the dwell period the heating means are returned to their initial position by again passing over the unit to heat the adhesive on the unit. The unit is then immediately removed from the machine and transferred to another machine where it is pressed against the bottom of a shoe for adhesively securing the unit to the shoe.

As seen in FIG. 2, the work support has a forepart portion 4 and a heel support plate 6 pivotally mounted on the forepart portion for heightwise adjustment relative to the forepart portion. A spring 10 holds the plate 6 against an adjustable stop screw 12 (FIG. 1) carried by the forepart portion. Adjustment of the stop screw 12 adjusts the plate 6 to support various sizes of heels andmaintain the top surface of a sole and heel unit S in planar relation with the forepart portion of the unit. The heel of a sole and heel unit placed on the work support is held between adjustable arms 14 extending heelwardly from the forepart portion 4. The top surface of the forepart portion 4 may be coated with P.T.F.E. to facilitate easy removal of the unit from the machine. Two pointed projections 16 upstanding from the top surface of the forepart portion 4 of the support penetrate slightly into the forepart portion of the unit to hold the unit against displacement during operation of the machine.

Referring now to FIG. 3, a carrier, referred to generally at 18, is supported at each end for movement across the work support on carriages 26 rollingly carried on side frames 32 and parallel edge surfaces 34 of strap 36 overlying the side frame. The carrier supports heating means, indicated generally by 20, comprising two elongated quartz infrared lamps 22, each lamp being at least as long as the length of the longest sole and heel unit to be operated on.

Referring again to FIG. 2, a bracket 38, adjacent the carrier and similarly supported on the side frames and edge surfaces by wheels 86, has a roller 40 extending parallel to the lamps 22. The roller is mounted for easy removal from the carriage on stub shaft 46 projecting into socket 48 of the roller. The roller is normally situated adjacent a container 42 and holding an adhesive composition to a depth such that the roller can dip into it approximately one-eighth of an inch. The roller has a peripheral gelatincoating to facilitate adhesive pickup. The roller is rotated in a counterclockwise direction as seen in FIG. 1 by gear wheel 50 secured to the roller shaft and intermeshing gear 52 rotatably mounted on the machine. The gear 52 is connected to a sprocket 68 which is rotated by a chain 70 driven by a variable speed electric motor (not shown). A doctor blade 82 (FIG. 2) adjustably mounted on a fixed part of .the machine controls the thickness of the coating of adhesive picked up by the roller from the container 42. Spring loaded scraper blades 84 mounted on the blade 82 remove unwanted adhesive from the ends of the roller 40.

Upon initiation of an operating cycle of the machine, the bracket 38 moves across the work support and a sole and heel unit thereon. The bracket pushes the carrier 18 in front of it.

However as seen in FIG. 1, before the roller 40 is moved across the support the container 42 has to be moved out of the way. The container is pivotally mounted on the side frames 32 of the machine. An air pressure operated piston and cylinder device 91' pivotally mounted on the machine holds the container elevated so that the roller 40 dips into adhesive in the container. The elevated position of the container is adjustable by means of adjustable stop screws 98 engaging a tie rod 100 extending between the side frames 32. Upon initiation of an operational cycle of the machine the container is lowered to clear the roller 40 by means of the piston and cylinder device 91.

Again in FIG. 2, the adhesive composition is fed into the container through a flexible pipe 102 and is automatically maintained at a critical level by control means comprising a photoelectric cell in a housing 104 and a light source in a housing 106. Light rays from the source pass through a sealed window in an end of the container opposite the end receiving the flexible inlet pipe 102. A barrier portion of the container between the roller and the portion of the adhesive struck by the light rays is provided tov prevent the adhesive from being churned up by the roller where it is contacted by the light. The sealed window through which the light rays pass keeps air from contacting the adhesive and forming a skin on the still surface of the adhesive which would prevent variations in the level of adhesive in that portion of the container.

The automatic level maintaining means also has means for preventing adhesive feeding into the container while the container is lowered to avoid overfilling the container. To this end, a piston and cylinder device (not shown) is activated by the container as it lowers in a manner similar to that of valve 176 in FIG. 6. The piston and cylinder device closes a stop-cock in the inlet pipe 102 and thus terminates the supply of adhesive to the container while the container is lowered.

When the container is lowered, the roller continues to be rotated by gear wheels 50 and 52 so that the thickness of the coating of adhesive around the whole periphery of the roller is maintained by the doctor blade 82. After the container has been lowered, the gear wheel 52 is lowered to permit the roller to move across the work support. Returning to FIG. 1, the gear wheel 52 is mounted on an arm 56 pivotally connected between the machine frame and a piston and cylinder device 108. Lowering of the container causes the piston and cylinder 108 to lower the gear wheel 52.

The bracket 38 is then pushed across the work support by an air pressure operated piston and cylinder device 109 fixedly mounted on the machine and connected to the bracket 38. The roller is thus moved from its normal position adjacent the doctor blade 82 across the sole and heel unit positioned on the support 2 to apply a coating of adhesive composition to the unit on the support.

Returning to FIG. 2, the roller 40 is rotated during movement across the work support by a rack arrangement adapted to mesh with sprockets 114 on the end of the roller. The rack arrangement comprises two lengths of chain 116 along arms 118 adjacent outside face portions of each side frame 32. Each arm is pivotally mounted on the side frame at one end. The other end of each arm is pivotally connected to a piston rod of an air pressure operated piston and cylinder device 123. The arms 118 are normally inclined downwardly from their connections to the side frame so that the chains 116 do not mesh with the sprockets 114. When the piston and cylinder device 109 operates to push the bracket 38 across the work support, the device 123 pneumatically raise the chains 1 16 to a horizontal position for engagement of the sprockets 114. The sprockets 114 connected to the roller thus rotate in a counterclockwise direction as viewed in FIG. 1.

As the bracket 38 moves across the work support, it pushes the carrier 18 in front of it. A switch in an electrical circuit of the apparatus (not shown) is actuated upon movement of the carrier 18 to switch on the lamps 22 to heat the top surface of the sole and heel unit prior to the application of adhesive by the roller 40 on the following bracket. The roller contacts the top surface of a sole and heel unit on the support and applies a coat of adhesive to it. A gelatin coating on the periphery of the roller 40 deforms to accommodate small variations in the top surface contour of the sole and heel unit, e. g., an upstanding rib extending around the forepart of the unit. The rotation of the roller 40 by the chains and sprocket is such that the roller moves over the unit without slipping and thus applies a uniform coating of adhesive to the unit. The roller additionally has a circumferential length greater than the width of the broadest unit to be operated upon in the machine so that any unit is crossed within one revolution of the roller. The single revolution of the roller again provides a uniform coating of adhesive to the unit.

The carrier and the bracket cross the sole and heel unit in a direction transverse to its length. The distance traveled by the carrier and bracket is thus shortened in comparison with the distance they would have to travel if the direction of movement were lengthwise of the unit. Thus the time taken to perform the operating cycle is kept to a minimum.

Upon completion of an out-stroke during which the top surface of the unit is heated and adhesive is applied thereto, the rack is lowered out of engagement with the sprockets 114 by piston and cylinder device 123. A switch (not shown) is also actuated to switch off the heating lamps 22. The work support 2 is then lowered to an out-of-the-way position so that the roller 40 does not touch the sole and heel unit on the support during return of the bracket to its initial position by piston and cylinder 109. For this purpose the work support is lowered from its operative position by a piston and cylinder device 135 supported on the side frames. Stop screw 144 connected to the support 2 may be adjusted to determine the operative, elevated position of the work support relative to the roller 40.

Retraction of the bracket to its initial position activates piston and cylinder 91 to raise the container 38 to its operative position in which the roller dips into the adhesive composition contained therein. In addition rotation of the roller is restarted by raising driven gear 52 into contact with gear 50 on the roller with piston and cylinder device 123. The work support 2 is also raised to its operative position by means of piston and cylinder device 135.

The carrier 18 is connected to a piston and cylinder device 147 mounted on the machine above the piston and cylinder device 109. During the out-stroke the piston and cylinder device 147 is drawn outwardly by the carrier 18 as the carrier is pushed outward by the bracket 38. After a suitable dwell period determined by an electrical timer (not shown) during which time the bracket 38 returns to its initial position and the adhesive applied to the unit is subject to the ambient conditions the piston and cylinder device 147 moves the carrier toward the bracket. The lamps 22 are automatically switched on as they move back over the sole and heel unit to complete the conditioning of the adhesive coating on the unit so that the unit is ready for immediate attachment to a shoe. The lamps are automatically switched off when they reach their initial position. The cycle of machine operation is thus complete.

Referring to FIGS. 3, 4 and 5, the lamps 22 are mounted on the carriage under a reflector having a passage 152 through which water circulates to keep the reflector cool during operation of the lamps. For this purpose the reflector has a water inlet pipe 154 and a water outlet pipe 156. The lower side of the reflector 150 is covered by a window 158 to avoid fire risk which particularly occurs when the lamps 22 are heating the adhesive composition applied to the sole and heel unit. The window is preferably made of material such as quartz which will transmit all wave lengths emitted from the lamps 22. The window 158 is kept cool by means of air blown onto the inner surface of the window. A block 162 extends along and is fixed to a left side wall of the reflector 150 as viewed in FIG. 5. The block 162 has two elongated recesses 164 extending toward each other from opposite end portions of the block. An air inlet pipe is in communication with each recess 164. A plurality of bores 166 extending through the left side wall of the reflector at spaced intervals direct air supplied to the recess from the inlet downwardly toward the window 158. Air directed onto the window disperses through the ends of the reflector 150. A slight increase in air pressure in a tube, formed by the reflector and window, results from air supplied to the tube. The pressure differential causes air to flow from the ends of the tube and thus flushes adhesive vapors from the elements in the tube. Fire hazard is thus further reduced.

Referring to FIG. 6 which shows the operative condition of a pneumatic control circuit for the machine prior to initiation of an operative cycle, operation of a starter button in the electrical circuit moves solenoid operated valve 168 to the right (as shown in FIG. 6). Air from a pressure supply line at valve 172 then passes through valve 168 and valve 174 connected to valve 168 to move valve to the right. Movement of valve 170 connects the pressure supply line below valve 170 to the piston and cylinder 91 to cause the container 42 to be lowered. Upon release of the starter button, the valve 168 resets to its condition shown in FIG. 6 under spring action. Lowering the container operates a valve 176 so that a valve 178 is shifted to the right. Shifting valve 178 shifts valve 180 and air from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 180 enters the piston and cylinder device 109 to effect an out-stroke of the bracket 38. Valve 182 in parallel with valve 180 is also shifted to the right upon movement of valve 178. Valve 182 then connects the pressure supply line adjacent valve 172 with valve 183 to shift valve 183 to the right. Valve 183 then connects the pressure supply line adjacent valve 183 with the piston and cylinder devices 108 and 123 to effect, respectively, descent of the gear wheel 52 to its inoperative position and movement of the chains 116 to their operative positions. Movement of the bracket 38 in an out-stroke releases a valve 184 for movement under spring pressure and movement of the chains 116 releases a valve 186 for movement under spring pressure. However, movement of the valves 184 and 186 are preparatory for further operation of the circuit and do not affect the circuit at this time as both valves are connected to an exhaust before and after their movement.

At the end of the out-stroke of the bracket 38, it activates a switch (not shown) to initiate operation of an electrical timing device to time the dwell period of the machine. The switch also causes operation of a solenoid operated valve 188 which moves to the right Air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 188 then passes through valve 190 to shift valve 192. Air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 192 then passes through valve 192 to cause the piston and cylinder device 135 to retract the work support 2. Valve 172 in parallel with valve 192 is also shifted to the right and thens direct air from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 172 to shift the valve 183 to the left. Air from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 183 then operates the piston and cylinder device 123 to retract the chain rack arrangement 1 16 and to operate the piston and cylinder device 108 to move the gear wheel 52 to its operative position in engagement with the roller on the bracket.

Retraction of the rack arrangement resets the valve 186 to its condition shown in FIG. 6. When the work support 2 retracts it actuates a valve 194 so that air under pressure is directed through valve 172, 196, 194 and 186 to reset the valve 180 and cause the piston and cylinder device 109 to return the roller 42 its initial position. Movement of valve 194 is also effective to move valve 198.

Return of the bracket 38 resets the valve 184 to its position shown in FIG. 6. Resetting valve 184 is effective to reset valve 170 by air under pressure passing through valves 172, 196, and 184. Resetting of the valve 170 redirects the air to the piston and cylinder device 91 so that the container 42 is raised to its operative position in which the roller 40 on the bracket dips into adhesive in the container. Air passing through the valve 184 also resets valve 192 so that air under pressure is redirected to the piston and cylinder device 135 to raise the work support to its operative position.

At the end of the dwell period controlled by the electrical timing device (not shown) the solenoid of valve 200 is deenergized and the valve 200 is shifted by spring means to the right as seen in FIG. 6. Air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 200 passes through valve 204 and shifts valve 198 and valve 202. Shifting the valve 202 opens the piston and cylinder device 147 to air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 202 and the piston and cylinder device 147 then returns the carrier 18 to its initial position. The piston and cylinder device 147 was drawn outwardly by the piston and cylinder device 109 when the device 109 moved the bracket 38 in an outstroke since the bracket 38 pushes the carrier 18 in an out-stroke.

Simultaneously with the shifting of valve 202, valve 206 is shifted to direct air under pressure from the line 208 to reset the valve 172.

Retraction of the carrier 18 to its initial position actuates a switch in the electrical circuit (not shown) which causes the solenoid of valve 200 to be energized to return valve 200 to its condition shown in FIG. 6.

As described above, return of the carrier 18 shifted the valve 198 to the right from its condition shown in FIG. 6. At that time, the piston and cylinder device 147 is extended having been pushed by the bracket which was moved by piston and cylinder device 109. Air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 180 thus enters the piston and cylinder device 147, but does not move the device, when air is admitted to the piston and cylinder device 147 via the valve 202. Valve 198 is then reset to its position shown in FIG. 6. The air which was admitted to the piston and cylinder device 147 via the valve 198 acts as a cushion to smooth the return of the carrier 18 to its initial position.

The adhesive container 42 may occasionally require operator attention or inspection. For this purpose the electrical circuit (not shown) is switched off and solenoid valve 200 is thus deenergized and moved under spring-pressure to a position in which it admits air under pressure from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 200 to the valve 204. The valve 204 is operated manually so that air under pressure via valve 200 and 204 shifts valve 196. The valve 170 is also shifted by air under pressure via valves 200, 204 and 174 so that piston and cylinder device 91 operates to retract the container 42. Retraction of the container shifts valve 176 which shifts valve 178 and valve 180 to admit air from the pressure supply line adjacent valve 180 to the piston and cylinder device 109 to move the bracket 38 and the carrier 18in an out-stroke. Air under pressure also passes through valves 196, 190, 172 and 178 to shift valves 172 and 192 to cause operation of the piston and cylinder device to retract the work support 2. The work support shifts valve 194, but that valve remains connected to an exhaust via previously shifted valve 196. The apparatus thus comes to rest in this condition in which the carrier and bracket are in an out-stroke position and the adhesive container is lowered. Inspection of the adhesive container may thus be carried out.

Manually resetting valve 204 resets the valves 196, 202, and 206. Air under pressure via valves 172, 196, 194 and 186 resets the valve 180 so that the piston and cylinder device 109 operates to return the bracket 38 and air under pressure via valve 202 acts on piston and cylinder device 147 to return the carrier 18. The bracket 38 resets valve 184, which resets valve so that the container is raised to its operative position. The return of the container resets valve 192 so that the work support 2 is raised. The valve 172 is reset by air under pressure by valve 206. Finally, energizing the solenoid of valve 200 resets that valve and the circuit assumes the condition shown in FIG. 6.

In an alternative embodiment the apparatus includes a manually actuatable emergency switch which may be used if necessary during an out-stroke to cause the valves 188 and 200 to be shifted and as a consequence the operating parts move sequentially to their initial positions.

Since certain other obvious changes may be made in the device without departing from the scope of the invention, it is intended that all matter contained herein be interpreted in an illustrative and not a limiting sense.

Having thus described our invention, what we claim as new and desire to secure by Letters Patent of the United States is:

1. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprises:

a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position;

means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit;

means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit;

means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support;

the means for moving the adhesive applying means pushes the heating means across the unit on the support and includes means to return the adhesive applying means to its initial position without again applying adhesive to the unit; and

means for returning the heating means to its initial position while heating the adhesive on the unit.

2. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a show bottom, which comprises:

a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position;

means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit;

means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating meansfor applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and

means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support and including a control circuit for sequentially actuating the means moving the heating and adhesive applying means.

3. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprises:

a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position;

means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit comprise radiant heating elements mounted in a carrier having a reflector which has a water cooling passage, a cover over the elements and reflector which transmits heat, and means for directing an air supply against the cover for cooling the cover and flushing adhesive vapors away from the elements;

means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and

means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support.

4. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprises:

a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position comprises a forepart support portion for receiving a forepart of the unit, a heel support portion pivotally mounted on the forepart portion for receiving a heel part of the unit, and means for adjusting the heel portion to maintain the substantially planar position of the top surface 05 th& unit independently of heel size; means mounte a acent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit;

means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and

means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support. 

1. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprIses: a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position; means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit; means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support; the means for moving the adhesive applying means pushes the heating means across the unit on the support and includes means to return the adhesive applying means to its initial position without again applying adhesive to the unit; and means for returning the heating means to its initial position while heating the adhesive on the unit.
 2. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a show bottom, which comprises: a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position; means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit; means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support and including a control circuit for sequentially actuating the means moving the heating and adhesive applying means.
 3. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprises: a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position; means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit comprise radiant heating elements mounted in a carrier having a reflector which has a water cooling passage, a cover over the elements and reflector which transmits heat, and means for directing an air supply against the cover for cooling the cover and flushing adhesive vapors away from the elements; means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support.
 4. A machine for the application of adhesive to a top surface of a sole and heel unit to prepare the unit for adhesive attachment to a shoe bottom, which comprises: a support plate for receiving the unit having means for maintaining the top surface of the unit in a substantially planar position comprises a forepart support portion for receiving a forepart of the unit, a heel support portion pivotally mounted on the forepart portion for receiving a heel part of the unit, and means for adjusting the heel portion to maintain the substantially planar position of the top surface of the unit independently of heel size; means mounted adjacent the support for movement relative to the support for heating the top surface of the unit; means movably mounted relative to the support and adjacent the heating means for applying adhesive to the overall top surface of the unit; and means for moving both the heating and adhesive applying means across the unit on the support. 